Wedoany.com Report on Feb 6th, Grid Telecom has announced the commencement of the construction of the Artemis subsea cable system, an ultra-high-speed optical cable that will connect Crete to mainland Greece. As a subsidiary of IPTO and a wholesale telecommunications service provider, Grid Telecom stated that the project aims to create a strategic digital corridor in the Eastern Mediterranean region. It is expected to enhance regional interconnectivity and support Greece's digital transformation process.
The Artemis subsea cable spans approximately 280 kilometers and is equipped with submarine repeaters, including terrestrial sections connecting to cable landing stations. The system will interconnect all landing stations and data centers in Crete and the Attica region, achieving data transmission rates of up to 30 Tbps per fiber pair. The system is equipped with at least 24 fiber pairs, with an overall design capacity of at least 720 Tbps to meet medium- to long-term digital infrastructure needs.
This subsea cable system is specifically designed to support next-generation technologies, leveraging shorter transmission distances and expanded optical spectrum capabilities. Artemis is poised to become the first subsea cable in Greece and the Mediterranean region to reach petabit-level capacity, with a potential total capacity exceeding 1 Pbps, setting new performance standards for regional and international digital connectivity.
Grid Telecom continues to invest in advanced infrastructure, planning to develop Crete into a strategic digital hub. The company stated it will leverage synergies between the new Artemis system and existing Minoas East‑West and Apollo East‑West systems. These existing systems already connect the island to mainland Greece via four independent routes and a total of 96 fiber pairs, providing diversified network pathways.
To advance telecommunications services, Grid Telecom is constructing new cable landing stations in Chania and Attica. These facilities will serve as landing points for the Artemis cable system and become key gateways connecting Greece to international subsea optical cables in the Middle East and Western Europe. Artemis will integrate open cable interface equipment, enabling seamless integration with international cable systems and providing direct, cost-effective backhaul access to all data centers.
Through this infrastructure, Grid Telecom will provide secure, open-access landing points and highly resilient connectivity for data centers in Crete, mainland Greece, and neighboring countries. The company stated it will fully utilize its integrated terrestrial and subsea network assets to ensure robust, scalable connectivity across the entire region, offering comprehensive technical support and maintenance services.
